Nicholas Lyndhurst facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicholas Lyndhurst
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Lyndhurst in 2020
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| Born | 20 April 1961 Emsworth, Hampshire, England
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| Other names | Nick Lyndhurst |
| Alma mater | Corona Theatre School |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Known for | Role of Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003) |
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| Spouse(s) |
Lucy Smith
(m. 1999) |
| Children | Archie Lyndhurst |
| Relatives | Francis Lyndhurst (paternal grandfather) |
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Nicholas Simon Lyndhurst (born 20 April 1961) is a famous English actor. He started acting when he was a child. He is most well-known for playing Rodney Trotter in the popular BBC comedy show Only Fools and Horses. This show ran from 1981 to 2003.
Lyndhurst also had important roles in other TV comedies. These include Raymond Fletcher in Going Straight (1978) and Adam Parkinson in Butterflies (1978–1983). He played Ashley Phillips in The Two of Us (1986–1990). He was also Peter "Piglet" Chapman in The Piglet Files (1990–1992).
Later, he starred as Gary Sparrow in Goodnight Sweetheart (1993–1999, 2016). He also played Jimmy Venables in After You've Gone (2007–2008). He was Freddie Robdal in Rock & Chips (2010–2011). From 2013 to 2015, he was Danny Griffin in the police show New Tricks. More recently, he played Professor Alan Cornwall in the new Frasier series (2023–2024).
Nicholas Lyndhurst has won several awards for his acting. He won two National Television Awards for his role in Goodnight Sweetheart. He was also nominated for a British Comedy Award. In addition, he received three nominations for British Academy Television Awards for his work in Only Fools and Horses.
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Early Life and Education
Nicholas Simon Lyndhurst was born in Gosport, Hampshire, England. His birthday is 20 April 1961. He was the only child of Anthony Arthur Joseph "Joe" Lyndhurst and Elizabeth M "Liz" Lyndhurst. He grew up in Emsworth. His paternal grandfather, Francis Lyndhurst, was a theatrical scenery painter. He was also a film producer and director.
Nicholas's parents separated when he was young. He went to East Wittering Primary School. After that, he attended the Corona Theatre School in Hammersmith, London. At this school, he became friends with Lisa Vanderpump.
Acting Career
Nicholas Lyndhurst started his acting career in 1973. His first role was a small, uncredited part in the film Bequest to the Nation. During the 1970s, he appeared in many TV commercials and children's films.
Early TV Roles
In January 1976, he got a main role in a BBC Television version of The Prince and the Pauper. He played both Tom Canty and Prince Edward. Two years later, he became more widely known. This was thanks to two BBC comedy shows. He played Raymond Fletcher in Going Straight. He also played Adam Parkinson in Butterflies.
Only Fools and Horses
Lyndhurst became very famous for his role in another BBC comedy, Only Fools and Horses. In this show, he played Rodney Trotter. Rodney was the younger brother of the main character, Derek "Del Boy" Trotter, played by David Jason.
Only Fools and Horses first aired in 1981. It became more and more popular. It reached its highest popularity in 1996 with its Christmas Day special. In a 2004 BBC poll, TV viewers voted it Britain's Best Sitcom. Nicholas Lyndhurst was in the show from the very beginning until its last episode in Christmas 2003.
Other Notable Roles
In the mid-1980s and 90s, Lyndhurst also starred in other TV shows. He played Ashley Phillips in ITV's The Two of Us. He also played MI5 agent Peter "Piglet" Chapman in The Piglet Files. He also performed in several stage plays.
Lyndhurst played the main character, Gary Sparrow, in the time-travel comedy Goodnight Sweetheart. This show ran from 1993 to 1999. He also appeared in TV and radio advertisements for Peoples Phone. He later said he turned down the lead role in the 1997 British film The Full Monty.
From 1997 to 1999, Lyndhurst was the public face of the stationery store WH Smith. He starred in their adverts playing all four members of one family. He won a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award for his acting in these adverts. In 1999, he played the villain Uriah Heep in David Copperfield. He acted alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Dame Maggie Smith.
In 2013, Lyndhurst joined the cast of the BBC police procedural series New Tricks. He acted alongside Dennis Waterman and Tamzin Outhwaite. In 2016, he brought back his Goodnight Sweetheart character, Gary Sparrow, for a special episode. This episode aired on 2 September 2016.
Lyndhurst has also performed in stage musicals. In 2019, he played Star Keeper in Carousel at the English National Opera. He also played the Governor/Innkeeper in Man of La Mancha at the London Coliseum in 2019. In this show, he acted with Kelsey Grammer.
In 2019, Lyndhurst appeared in an episode of the CBBC comedy So Awkward. He acted alongside his son, Archie Lyndhurst. The episode was called "Awardatarian" and was shown on 19 September 2019.
In January 2023, Lyndhurst was cast as Professor Alan Cornwall in the new Frasier series.
Personal Life
Nicholas Lyndhurst married Lucy Jane Smith on 1 September 1999. Lucy was a former ballet dancer. They had been engaged since 1990. Their wedding was a private ceremony at St Mary's Church in Chichester, West Sussex.
Nicholas and Lucy's only child, a son named Archie Bjorn Lyndhurst, was born on 4 October 2000. Archie was also an actor and designer. He was best known for playing Oliver 'Ollie' Coulton in the CBBC comedy So Awkward. Sadly, Archie passed away in his sleep on 22 September 2020, at the age of 19. His death was caused by a brain hemorrhage due to acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Nicholas Lyndhurst and his wife now live in West Wittering, West Sussex. Nicholas enjoys underwater diving, beekeeping, and flying his own aeroplanes.
Awards and Nominations
Nicholas Lyndhurst has received several awards and nominations for his acting.
- National Television Awards:
- Won: Most Popular Comedy Performer in 1998 for Goodnight Sweetheart.
- Won: Most Popular Comedy Performer in 1999 for Goodnight Sweetheart.
- Nominated: Most Popular Comedy Performer in 1997 for Only Fools and Horses.
- British Academy Television Awards (BAFTA):
- Nominated: Best Light Entertainment Performance in 1987 and 1991 for Only Fools and Horses.
- Nominated: Best Comedy Performance in 1997 for Only Fools and Horses (Christmas Special).
- British Comedy Awards:
- Nominated: Best TV Comedy Actor in 1997 for Only Fools and Horses (Christmas Special).
